Page 840 - An Index to the Qur'an

are repaid.’ He started with their bags before his except for people who are disbelievers.’ So when
brother’s and then produced it from his brother’s they came into his presence, they said, ‘Your
bag. In that way We devised a cunning scheme Eminence! Hardship has hit us and our families.
for Yusuf. He could not have held his brother ac- We bring scant merchandise, but fill the measure
cording to the statutes of the King–only because for us generously. Allah always rewards a gener-
Allah had willed it so. We raise the rank of any- ous giver.’ He said, ‘Are you aware of what you
one We will. Over everyone with knowledge is a did to Yusuf and his brother in ignorance?’ They
Knower. They said, ‘If he steals now, his brother said, ‘Are you Yusuf?’ He said, ‘I am indeed
stole before.’ But Yusuf kept it to himself and still Yusuf, and this here is my brother. Allah has
did not disclose it to them, saying, ‘The plight acted graciously to us. As for those who fear
that you are in is worse than that. Allah knows Allah and are steadfast, Allah does not allow to
best the matter you describe.’ They said, ‘Your go to waste the wage of any people who do
Eminence! He has an old and venerable father, good.’ They said, ‘By Allah, Allah has favoured
so take one of us instead of him. We see without you above us. Clearly we were in the wrong.’ He
a doubt that you are of the people who do good.’ said, ‘No blame at all will fall on you. Today you
He said, ‘Allah forbid that we should take any- have forgiveness from Allah. He is the Most
one but him with whom our goods were found. Merciful of the merciful. Go with this shirt of
In that case we would clearly be wrongdoers.’ mine and cast it on my father’s face and he will
When they despaired of him, they went apart to see again. Then come to me with all your fami-
talk alone. The eldest of them said, ‘You know lies.’ (12:83-93)
full well your father had you make a covenant And when the caravan went on its way, their fa-
with Allah concerning this, and how before you ther said, ‘I can smell Yusuf’s scent! You probably
failed him with Yusuf. I will not leave this land think I have become senile.’ They said, ‘By Allah!
until I have permission from my father, or Allah Your mind is still astray.’ But when the bringer of
decides about the case on my behalf. Truly He is the good news came, he cast it on his face and
the justest Judge of all. Return now to your father sight returned. He said, ‘Did I not say to you be-
and say to him, "Your son stole, father. We can do fore, I know things from Allah you do not know?’
no more than testify to what we know and we are They said, ‘Our father, may we be forgiven for all
not the guardians of the Unseen. Ask questions of the many wrongs that we have done. We were
the town in which we were and of the caravan in indeed greatly mistaken men.’ He said, ‘I will ask
which we came for we are surely telling you the my Lord to pardon you. He is Ever-Forgiving,
truth."’ (12:68-82) Most Merciful.’ Then when they entered into
He (their father) said, ‘It’s merely that your lower Yusuf’s presence, he drew his parents close to
selves suggested something to you which you him and said, ‘Enter Egypt safe and sound, if
did. But beauty lies in having steadfastness. Allah wills.’ He raised his parents up onto the
Perhaps Allah will bring them all together. He is throne. The others fell prostrate in front of him.
indeed All-Knowing and All-Wise.’ He turned He said, ‘My father, truly this is now the interpre-
himself away from them and said, ‘What anguish tation of the dream I had. My Lord has made it all
is my sorrow for Yusuf!’ And then his eyes turned come true; and He was kind to me by letting me
white from hidden grief. They said, ‘By Allah, out of prison and brought you from the desert
you will not ever cease to mention Yusuf, till you when Satan had caused dissent between me and
waste away or are among the people of the my brothers. My Lord is kind to anyone He wills.
grave!’ He said, ‘I make complaint about my grief He is indeed All-Knowing and All-Wise. My
and sorrow to Allah alone because I know things Lord, You have granted power to me on earth
from Allah you do not know. My sons! Seek news and taught me the true meaning of events.
of Yusuf and his brother. Do not despair of solace Originator of the heavens and earth, You are my
from Allah. No one despairs of solace from Allah Friend in this world and the Next. So take me as
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